The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced frequent taillight failures. While researching the failure online, the contact learned that the failure was due to water entering the improperly sealed taillight housings. The contact associated the failure to an extended warranty that excluded the model year. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Dodge Durango water leak problems
138 of the 13,795 owner complaints about the Dodge Durango describe water leaks into the cabin, most of them for the 2014 model year.
- owner complaints
- 138
- worst model year
- 2014
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,200
- typical mileage
- 65,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 14Knocking 7Engine failure 6Check engine light 6Misfire 5Backup camera 5Fire or smoke 4Grinding brakes 4
Trouble codes mentioned
P0455 1
What owners say
Water gets in the back racetrack light on the back lift gate.
I have numerous issues with this vehicle. Let’s begin with the AC not working. Additionally, there’s water leaking from the inside, coming from the passenger and driver sides. The front carpets have a foul odor. While we were driving from the service center, white smoke started coming through the driver’s side vents. When we make turns, we hear a creaking noise. We took it to the service center and got it back a week later, but they didn’t fix the problem. I just need to know what’s going on with my vehicle
Water leaks into and pools in the tail lights causing the tail light to go out. Other drivers can't see the back of the car at night thus increasing risk of rear end collision. The problem was confirmed by the dealer and I was told that it is a very common problem on this model and that the manufacturer refuses to cover the $1600.00 repair cost. There were no warnings that the light had gone out, so this is very dangerous because it's possible that you drive around for many months without realizing that your tail light is not working.
**Subject:** Request for Investigation – Dodge Durango Taillight Water Intrusion and Safety Hazard To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request that the National Highway Transportation Administration (the federal safety agency) investigate a widespread and potentially dangerous manufacturing flaw affecting Dodge Durango vehicles. Both my vehicle and a significant number of other Dodge Durango owners have experienced a recurring issue where water enters the taillight assembly. This intrusion causes the taillights to malfunction, resulting in the lights going out unexpectedly. This defect not only compromises vehicle safety by reducing visibility and signaling capability, but also poses a risk of further electrical damage. In some cases, owners have reported concerns about potential electrical failures and even fire hazards due to water exposure within the taillight housing. Given the prevalence of this issue among Dodge Durango owners, I strongly urge the federal safety agency to conduct a thorough investigation and require the manufacturer to address this defect. Importantly, any corrective action should be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to affected vehicle owners, as this is a clear manufacturing flaw that impacts safety and reliability. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing appropriate action taken to protect consumers and ensure vehicle safety. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Water gets inside the rear tail light and the lights burn out the same with the side rear lights
Rainwater or going through a car wash leaks water into backend lighting compartment which leads to backend lights not working. You can see the water into the lights. Water leaks out the backend when you open or close the back door. No brake lights could cause accidents. Wiring also corrodes and needs replacement due to water corrosion.
I'm reporting the race track tailgate light on my 2017 durango has been taking in water from top of the light. I have been reading about a law suit against Dodge cause of this issue on 2014 thru 2023 dodge durango. So im putting my complaint in on my cause its doing the same thing. part of the lower left side on mine has shorted out due to the water leaking from the top of the race track light.
The whole center section of lighting, located on the tailgate (liftgate) is burned out, including the license plate illumination. Apparently water gets into the "racetrack light" which I learned is what Dodge calls this center section of lighting. I have noticed there is a significant amount of water inside this section of lighting, and now it intermittently does not work. More times than not, it is completely out. As I did some research about this issue, I found that it is common for all of the 2014- 2024 Durangos.
Driver side and third row passenger side seat belts have stopped retracting, will not retract. Exterior tail light is going out due to faulty manufacturer seal, water gets in and destroys tail light from inside which also lets water get into license plate bulb and makes the license plate bulbs burn out constantly. I feel unsafe driving my vehicle due to the seatbelt not retracting, if I have to slam on my brakes, the seal belt does not lock up like it should. I cannot have a passenger in the third row passenger side due to the seatbelt being loose and not retracting at all. Vehicle has not been reproduced, confirmed or inspected yet by anyone other than myself and passengers. No warnings before any of the issues.
Related recalls
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
- Risk
- A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the spoiler and align the liftgate as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 10, 2026. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 61D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on August 20, 2026. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 21V842 or 23V115. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Recall number 26V528000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
- Risk
- A damaged rear spoiler can detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 20A. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V‑842.
Recall number 23V115000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
- Risk
- A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y73.
Recall number 21V842000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Durango water leak
Which Dodge Durango years have water leaks into the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2014 (37 complaints), 2015 (29 complaints) and 2004 (26 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix water leaks into the cabin on the Dodge Durango?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 21 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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